2025
Democracy Tour
Concerned about the future of democracy?
You’re not alone.
Across Illinois and the nation, confidence in our democratic systems is eroding.
The strength of our democracy depends on active, informed, and engaged community members like you, but here’s the challenge:
Voter participation in local elections remains alarmingly low.
The shuttering of local news outlets has left many without the information they need to make informed decisions.
Local governments struggle to address the concerns that matter most to their communities.
In response, the Citizen Advocacy Center is launching Democracy Tour 2025—a bold initiative to strengthen our community’s capacity for self-governance and building a democracy that works for everyone.
It’s time for action.
What is Democracy Tour 2025?
This initiative takes Citizen Advocacy Center on the road to neighborhoods across the region hosting interactive conversations where your ideas, concerns, and solutions
take center stage.
Together, we’ll explore innovative ways to:
Strengthen the civic fabric of our communities, and
Increase participation in local elections.
The insights gathered from these conversations will help shape actionable recommendations for improving civic life and governance at the local level.
Rules of Democracy 2025 Events
These events are an opportunity for neighbors to gather and discuss the current state of our democracy and potential solutions to improving civic life and governance at the local level. Emotions are high and the discourse can be challenging to those with differing views.
We ask that you read these rules and agree to abide by them if you plan to attend any of these events.
1. All are welcome in this space.
2. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
3. Think that you might be wrong.
4. All eligible voters should register to vote! You can register on site. If not eligible, come anyway!
Democracy Tour 2025 Dates*
April 7 - Elmhurst, IL
7:00-9:00 pm
Elmhurst University
Frick Center, Founder's Lounge
190 s Prospect Ave
April 9 - St. Charles, IL
6:00-7:00 pm
St. Charles Library
Carnegie Community Room
1 S 6th Ave
April 12 - Chicago (Logan Square)
2:00-3:00 pm
Chicago Public Library - Logan Square Branch
3030 W Fullerton Ave
April 15 - Forest Park, IL
5:30-6:30 pm
Forest Park Library
Austin Room
7555 Jackson Blvd
April 23 - Chicago (Little Italy)
5:30-6:30 pm
University of Illinois, Chicago
Student Center East (White Oak Room)
750 S Halsted
April 24 - Elgin, IL
6:00-7:00 pm
Elgin Community College
E100.01 Training Room (E Building)
1700 Spartan Drive
April 29 - Glen Ellyn, IL
3:30-4:30 pm
College of DuPage
BIC 1425
425 Fawell Blvd
April 30 - Oak Forest, IL
7:00-8:30 pm
Grey’s Social Kitchen & Bar
5240 W 159th
May 8 - Batavia, IL
7:00-9:00 pm
Moby Carp Lounge
Garage Behind the House, Upstairs
211 Lake St.
(No wheelchair access at this location).
May 10 - Chicago (Lakeview)
3:00-4:00 pm**
Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted
**An American Sign Language Interpreter will be interpreting this event!!
May 14 - Bloomingdale, IL
6:00-7:00 pm
Bloomingdale Library
101 Fairfield Way
June 26 - Lake Forest, IL
7:00-9:00 pm
Gorton Community Center
400 East Illinois Rd
May 21 - Wheaton, IL
7:00-8:00 pm
Cantigny
Theater Room
1S151 Winfield Rd
May 27 - La Grange, IL
7:00-9:00 pm
fourteensixteen
14 Calendar Ave.
(No wheelchair access at this location)
May 28 - Westmont, IL
6:00-8:00 pm
Neat
246 N Cass Ave
*All events are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted.